BeansTalk Biz Newsletter

BeansTalk News: Daily news on fashion, beauty, film, television, books -- all media -- and anything else of relevant interest. (View the current month in its news entirety by clicking the date under Archives.)

Thursday, September 30, 2010

They Might Be GiantsLaunch East Coast Tour Dates IncludingThe Kennedy Center in DC &Two Shows at NYC's Town Hall

"Not sure whether to give these guys another Grammy, a Nobel Prize in one of the sciences, or both.”- Urban Baby

“TMBG continues to deliver the current generation’s answer to ‘Schoolhouse Rock’…”- The Boston Globe

“The album functions as a wonderful synthesis of old and new; in the process, it reaches a multigenerational audience… ”- NPR Music

They Might Be Giants continue their US tour, hitting the east coast this September. The Brooklyn rockers will play a special free show as part of the Milennium Stage Series at the Kennedy Center in DC in addition to two performances at New York City’s Town Hall and the 5th annual “fan appreciation show” at Mohegan Sun!

The band is scheduled to play both days of this year’s Life is good Festival in the Boston area alongside three stages of headliners, including Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, OK Go, Ben Harper & Relentless7 and many more. All proceeds go to benefit The Life is good Kids Foundation whose mission is to provide support to kids who face life-threatening conditions such as the trauma of violence, poverty and loss.

The Giants’ kids album, Here Comes Science, released in September 2009, has received praise across the board for its unique and exciting fusion of rock, education and humor. Boing Boing described the album as “top-notch pop music with humor that's aimed at both kids and adults” and called the album“better than great. Perfect.”

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

New to You: Andrew Stone

This is the first in an occasional series -- "New To You" -- in which BeansTalk introduces you to an up-and-coming artist (actor, musician, writer, painter, etc.)

Alternative rocker Andrew Stone, 22, was born in Missouri and raised in Hawaii before he made his pilgrimage to Austin, Texas. In Austin, Stone has spent the past couple of years forging his diverse musical background – he is often compared to: Robert Plant, Nick Drake and Jeff Buckley. On stage, he is a dynamo, a passionate and fiery windmill of power chords.

Stone was a finalist in the 2009 Uncommon Grounds Songwriter Competition in Chicago. He is currently in the studio working on his first full-length record scheduled to be released this fall. His musical influences include: Jeff Buckley, Led Zeppelin, U2, and White Stripes.

Stone is popular with the college and university crowds throughout Texas. He has played at Momo's, Stubb’s, Hole in the Wall, Red Eyed Fly, Monk's in Abilene, Sugar Brown's in Lubbock, 806 in Amarillo, and many others. Andrew recently signed with manager, Harrison Cheung, who previously managed Christian Bale and was instrumental in the actor's career. Stone will make his Los Angeles debut in the near future. Cheung suggests this winter.

Reviews:

“A very talented player. His vocals are emotive and his slide guitar playing unique.”BigWesternFlavor

“Unless you’ve been to one of his live shows, you’ll never fully appreciate the young musical dynamo that he is.”Abilene Creative Pulse

“Andrew Stone is one hell of a show. Stone is an animated passion on stage, he often reminds me, quite starkly; of Jeff Buckley the way his vibrato comes out, and the way he's always about to spontaneously overheat and blow up his guitar.”Smoke a Risin’

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Judy Collins' Takes onthe "Weight of the World"

Judy Collins' new album 'Paradise' (Wildflower Records) has Collins’ take on songs from the likes of Jimmy Webb, Tom Paxton, Joan Baez, Tim Buckley, and Stan Jones, as well as duets with Joan Baez and Stephen Stills.

One of the most affecting tracks on the album is “Weight of the World” by emerging Wildflower recording artist Amy Speace, an anti-war song with powerful and personal lyrics. Singing about a brother unthinkably heading off to fight, Collins’ voice is a plaintive, universal cry expressing the unspeakable senselessness of losing a loved one to war. The weight of her world is deeply felt in the intimacy of the song’s lyrics, resonating with “The weight of the world, too heavy to lift/ So much was lost, so much was missed/ It doesn’t seem fair that any boy or any girl/ Should have to carry the weight of the world.”

Monday, September 27, 2010

I'm at the point where I very rarely buy books at bookstores. It may seem like a no-brainer, but the library can be very convenient. Just remember to either renew or return the books when they're due.

Used Or As We Prefer, Recycled, Books

If you must add everything you read to your collection of "keeps," consider visiting sites/places which offer books at reduced rates. One such place is a library -- many libraries have designated rooms for library book discards or donations.

Library Discards or Donations to Buy

Our local library offers all mass market fiction sized books for .50 cents and all trade paper and hardbound for $1. There must be a lot of readers in our community because the turnaround is very good. Many libraries hold quarterly/bi-annual/annual book sales, too. Keep an eye out for them. Visit http://www.booksalefinder.com/ and get on their mailing list and they'll send you a weekly listing of all book sales in your area (based on zip codes).

The Thrift Store Alternative

Another option is time consuming, so set aside a nice block of time to peruse thrift store bookshelves. This is an unpredictable venture since some stores have large sections and others very little. The only way to tell is to visit thrift stores in your area (or, for that matter, anywhere you are) and head to the book section. This is not a quest for the impatient or intolerant.

If you cannot bear the thought of actually going out to look for whatever you might find, ie. out on the hopes you might get lucky and the book you're looking for is on a thirst store shelf for hardly anything.

Try Locally, Be Green Globally

We're in Southern California, on the Westside of Los Angeles and in the last couple of years we've lost two excellent thrift resources for books -- the now defunct Salvation Army on Washington Blvd. in Culver City and the Boys and Girls Club, also on Washington Blvd, but in Culver City west. Both shops had separate rooms dedicated to books and it could be a real joy scanning and finding something you've been wanting.

You can't rely on on one thrift store chain to concentrate more on books. This takes an actual visit. There are some Out of the Closets that don't carry a lot of books and some that do (the one on Pico Blvd. west of Overland Avenue in West Los Angeles and the one on Fairfax between Third and Melrose are excellent book hunt venues).

Yelp Help

If you visit yelp.com and search for local thrift stores and a sub-search for books, or simply read through comments (contributors often mention if a locale is "good" or "bad" for books). In addition to the more commonly recognized names, be sure to consider independents or smaller charities.

Some Goodwills are donation centers that sell books-only, check their website for more details.

Online Book Sales

If you'd rather tinker/patrol/stalk/monitor the internet than actually getting in a car and driving to peruse bookshelves, you might want to consider buying online -- there's the Ebay-owned company, www.half.com or Ebay itself. Amazon offers used books, too.

Trades and Swaps

Another alternative to support your reading habit is to consider swaps -- www.swap.com. Establish contact and online associations with like-minded readers.

Friday, September 24, 2010

Peep-Toe Black Booties

We have to admit we're intrigued with this look -- the open-toed bootie. It's strictly for fashion, since an open toe, socked or not, is not going to keep you warm if it's cold. It surely not for comfort with the heels most of them sport. At any rate, Friday Fashion offers a look at what's out there for this very trendy (and not likely long-lasting) well-shod style. We also present to you a wide variety of price points.

Alexander McQueen

leather upper.Provocative peep toe.Zipper front closure with a supernatural skull zipper pull engraved with "Alexander McQueen".Fascinatingly fierce leather fold down lapels with snap button closures on the vamp.Hypnotically repeated circular pattern stylishly stitched at the back quarter.Leather lining.Leather and synthetic insole.Leather outsole.Stiletto heel.Made in Italy.4 3/4" heel.3/4" platform.12.00 oz.(BeansTalk note: These are admittedly more extreme, and probably the most "fashion-forward" [or "fast" as they say in the biz] of the collection we've assembled for you. With Sarah Jessica Parker and other celebrity fashionistas honoring the late designer, we felt compelled to include this style.)

Grainy leather upper.Pull-on style.Captivating fabric cuff with sequin embellishments.Enthralling open toe.Leather lining.Leather insole.Spectacularly stacked stiletto.Leather sole.Made in Italy.4" heel.9.00 oz.(BeansTalk note: We've got two different versions -- and price points -- that feature a faux sock element. While the open toe means your toes won't be cozy, this style is likely to be more comfortable around your ankle and keep it warm.)

Diane Von Furstenberg Angel Suede upper.Magnificent mesh inlay.Back zipper closure.Open toe.Leather lining.Leather insole.Suede-covered heel.Leather sole.Made in Italy.3 1/2" heel.9.00 oz.(BeansTalk note: These are quite pretty. As you can tell from this long list of choices, despite the distinctive styling of the peep-toed black bootie, they are available in smooth or crinkled leather or suede. For the budget conscious, there are man-made options. Just the slight differences in additions, burn-outs and cut-outs can suit whatever edge you prefer.)

Leather upper.Front zip closure with adjustable buckle detail.Silver-tone hardware.Open toe.Leather lining.Leather insole.Stacked heel.Leather sole.Imported.3" heel.10.00 oz.(BeansTalk note: We're not a fan of the stacked heel and this is probably our least favorite, but we're here to show you what's out there and available to you.)

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Nathalie Dubois-Sissoko + Gifting Suites

= High-class Global Venues

by Beth Zerilli

Contributing Editor

East Coast Correspondent

Nathalie Dubois-Sissoko (seen above with Emmy-winner and Nurse Jackie star Edie Falco), president and CEO of Dubois, Pelin and Associates (DPA) officially debuted her gifting suites at the 2005 Golden Globe Awards.With French –style and products,in 2010, DPA has produced six major suites making Nathalie and DPA an intricate part of almost every major award show or film festival worldwide. Born in France, Nathalie travels throughout the world and draws on the diversity of cultures and designs she discovers to make her suites unique and unforgettable.

BeansTalk grabbed a few moments with Nathalie during last week’sT.I.F.F (Toronto’s International Film Festival) to discover more about this Global Gifting Suite company.

BT: How does this year’s suite compare with the suite two years ago?

ND:This year’s suite is a bit different. There are less familiar faces this year.

BT: And the overall success of this year?

ND: If you look at the overall seven days it had been a good event. We are actually closing earlier since we are running out of products. So, I guess it has been a successful week.

BT: How do you get started in this business (Gifting Lounges)?

ND: It’s a long story. I was producing special events for 10 years: anywhere from fashion shows like Donna Karan all the way to unknown designers. I worked for the Royal Family of Japan and for the [Michael] Jackson family.

I was traveling one day to Bora Bora, andI met this jewelry company that was amazing and they pressured me to do their public relations, which I didn’t do at the time. And finally, I decided to put this (the jewelry line) on the red carpet of the Golden Globes. We had so many presents around the necklace we were [displaying] for the celebrity(gifting) that we decided to take a suite and put all the products in it. It was a concept that was already done – we didn’t invent anything.

BT: How long have you been doing Gifting Lounges?

ND: We started in Januray 2005 with Golden Globes and we basically took it world wide.

BT: How are you different from the other gifting suites?

ND: We decided to do it (our gifting suites) the French way, putting it upscale. We do it very differently than anybody else. We don’t let people loose in the suite. We escort them. We carry their bags. We print invites and deliver them. All the little pluses.We are also the only company doing (gifting suites) world-wide. We partner with the biggest film festivals in the world: The Dubai Film Festival for four years, Hong Kong Film Festival and the Venice Film Festival for three years. We were in Cannes for four years. That’s what also brought us to a different level. We are very international and very upscale.

BT: How do you decide the products to be gifted?

ND: In every event we have a big name brand and new brands. For this event (Toronto International Film Festival), we decided to go full blast in Canadian brands. So, we approached many Canadian companies.

BT: How do you decide on which vendors to use?

ND: It’s basically everything I like. A lot of times, I just go shopping and find products. Then I pursue the products. We have a lot of companies that approach us. We screen a lot of products. I have to say that I am proud of everything I have this suite. I will either use or wear or recommend to people and I think that also what makes a difference.I am friends with so many celebrities in Hollywood and I go to their house. I see a lot of the gifts (from other company suites) recycled as Christmas gifts (for example). And I know that a lot of my gifts are worn by the celebrities. They get shot (by photographers) in the streets with bracelets (etc) and I guess it’s pretty much coming from my taste. Things I like. I don’t compromise for money. I just choose things that I will love.

BT: Have you ever had an experience where you invited a vendor and they were not what you expected?

ND: Yes! It happened in Venice. And it was so embarrassing! It was a plate with Swarovski crystals and it just looked cheap and so 15-years-old. And that year we had Charlize Theron and Richard Gere and there was no way I could have gone to them (with these), so I hid the plates and sent them back.

BT: Have you noticed that the vendors, particularly those that are new to their industries, take off in popularity after the exposure from your suites?

ND: It’s huge! It’s in fact very interesting, because we have a base of companies that follow us world-wide. Recently we had a client since 2007 that just got huge after Monte Carlo in June, because they did three years of events with us and they just signed a deal with a hotel to sell their products world-wide. It’s a lot of success stories. People like designer of pearls worn by Sharon Stone on the red carpet. And she (Stone) is one of the top images for fashion and glamour. She puts a lot of our products on the red carpet or in the streets (for photo-ops) and a lot of companies get pushed to the next level. It (being a part of a gift lounge) accounts for about 6 months of public relations when you do a suite like this.Even if a suite had only two stars. The amount of press and promotion and the network of people is incredible. We invite only the biggest celebrities. And if the celebrities don’t come, still the network people come, big agents, and it will grow the network for these people (vendors).

BT: Have you ever had a moment (not naming names) where a celebrity visited and you had to intervene between a celebrity and a vendor?

ND: We had the case one time where a very big celebrity entered the suite and I think she was not comfortable with her image. She wore her sunglasses and said, “Where are the diamonds!” All she wanted were the diamonds and she walked in and out. It was disappointing for the other vendors. We very rarely have problems with celebrities. (Although) we have funny stories with celebrities, like after being gifted so much (some celebrities) will call again to ask for more. Recently a huge A-List (celebrity) did that (call and asked for more), which was surprise. Normally the A-list[ers] don’t do it. It’s more like a B-list, (since) we don’t invite C-list. The bigger the stars the easier it (the gifting suite) is.

BT: What have been some of your favorite moments doing this?

ND: Some really magical times! I had a very sweet moment with Richard Gere in Venice [at the Film Festival], where we gave him some gifts. He is a very special person.The night of his premiere, he crossed the whole room full of people with his wife (and it was high security), to come get me. My client introduced us as the people who gifted him all day. It was very special.

The first time I met Terrence Howard [Iron Man], he wanted to sign a check at the end, because he didn’t understand the concept. And he was very sweet and amazing. He is always doing something special. He comes to a lot of our suites. (Again) the first time he essentially took his checkbook out and I said, “No, no, no, it’s just gifts for you.”

The second time [Howard] came he was really amazing [again]. It was another Golden Globe one where we had the suite above the red carpet.He wrote a note in the mirror (by the gifting -suite guest book). So, nobody could read it and to read it you have to put it (the message in front of] a mirror. It was a very special note to me.

I think of big moments, like little kids growing up who are really big now: like Kiernan Shipka from Mad Men. We have been seeing her for three or four years. It really so exciting.

BT: Any strange moments you recall over the years?

ND: We have to have security when we do L.A. . We have lots of people impersonating people, like lying. Recently at the Emmy’s, we had this guy arriving, acting like he’s Aaron Paul [Breaking Bad] and he looks like him. It was really bad. We have stories like this a lot. We have thieves. We have prostitutes trying to come with bags saying they're actresses from whatever show. When we are in Cannes we were almost attacked. This guy, he was 7-ft. tall and he looked like a skin-head. He knocked at the door and said he had come to get the gifts. Also had a little old lady who was once walking by the suite. She wanted to get a gift bag. So she tried every single day until finally we were so tired of it we just gave her a gift bag. It was so sad.

BT: You’re traveling all over the world, is there any city that tends to be more difficult than the rest?

ND: The Middle East was very tough in the beginning, because we get a lot of Bollywood, a lot of U.S. that go to the Dubai Film Festival. And also we get a lot of Arabic stars. And imagine this concept, in America or even in Canada. They know the deal that you take pictures (with the products that are being gifted). But,in the Middle East a lot of women have the veil. So, they (Middle-Eastern women) want a dress when they are going to wear it behind walls, but they don’t want to be shot (photographed) with the dress. In the Middle East they will be in trouble (for having their picture taken with the product). I would say there are no events more difficult, just different.I love them all!

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Looking Good: Shia LaBeouf, Michael Douglas, Carey Mulligan and Josh Brolin attend the premiere of their film'Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps' at the Ziegfeld Theatre on Monday, Sept. 20, 2010 in New York.

Both Douglas & Brolin were wearing shirts by ANTO Beverly Hills.

Douglas, who attended with his wife, actress Catherine Zeta Jones, selected an Anto white on white Swiss cotton and silk dress shirt with white collar and white French cuffs.

Brolin wore a burgundy Italian cotton dress shirt by Anto.

Anto Distinctive Shirtmakers is a custom tailor who has been working with Hollywood for the past 50 years providing custom shirts to everyone from Frank Sinatra to Johnny Depp. Besides their celebrity clientele – they work closely with the film industry and have done shirts for many top films. This family owned business has had their flagship store in Beverly Hills since 1976 and they have just expanded to a second location in Sherman Oaks.(AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Montreal based – Micalla introduced their newest line in jewelry at DBA’s Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) Gifting lounge and BeansTalk was there to preview the line.

Don’t Ask! is versatile, affordable, and edgy line of jewelry. Many of the Don’t Ask! pieces transform from bracelet to hanging necklace to choker and dressed up or down depending upon the occasion and the wearer's mood.

In an interview with Camilla Jørgensen, Micalla’s founder/designer, she describes what she referred to as the company’s “humble beginnings.”

Camilla: In 2007, when a close friend in Montreal was diagnosed with cancer, I foresaw the uncomfortable and trying times that lay ahead and chose to engage my friend in making jewelry to distract her while she was a patient of the cancer ward. After my friend blessedly recovered, I found myself returning to my entrepreneurial ways by designing seasonal lines of handcrafted jewelry using carefully selected semi-precious stones, gems, pearls and sterling silver.

BeansTalk: What are some of the most challenging pieces of jewelry that you design?

Camilla: The most challenging pieces are always our Micalla gemstone pieces. Each stone is so beautiful, created perfectly by nature. I can't help but spend hours and days trying to make sure that the natural beauty is highlighted. Nature truly is a wonder!

BeansTalk: If you could design a dream piece of jewelry, what would it be and who would wear it?

Camilla: It would be for Audrey Hepburn...she was, and still is, such an inspiration of beauty and grace. I think she encompass all the attributes that we strive to achieve each day...honest beauty, compassion, and the love of life. A delicate piece of raw diamonds and pearls.

MICALLA has been showcased at Semaine de la Mode in Montreal, LG Fashion Week, and been a must-have for celebrities at the Toronto International Film Festival, Gemini Awards and the Golden Globes.

Micalla designer jewelry is available online at http://www.micalla.com/

Monday, September 20, 2010

PBS's Nova's fall line-up features expeditions and investigations that reveal new research and findings in an array of fields, including engineering, forensics, aviation, archeology, climatology, genetics, and more. This season, NOVA examines elevator safety and reveals intriguing insights into people's overwhelming fears of becoming trapped. The series also soars to new heights to unlock the mysteries of the magnificent Gothic cathedrals and to investigate the 2009 mid-ocean disappearance of a commercial airliner. NOVA then digs down to unravel new clues to Stonehenge, descends into what might be the fabled mines of King Solomon to hunt for hidden biblical treasures, and plunges viewers beneath the surface of Antarctica's ice to reveal the secrets frozen in time there. In a thoroughly engaging new documentary, NOVA also decodes "man's best friend" and offers surprising new science on the remarkable bond between humans and dogs.

Building the Great Cathedrals - Tuesday, October 19How did medieval builders reach such spectacular heights using only hand tools to cre¬ate the great cathedrals? The filmmakers behind NOVA's award-winning documentary Secrets of the Parthenon take viewers on a dazzling new architectural journey, inside those majestic marvels and jewels of Gothic architecture. Carved from a 100 million pounds of stone and sometimes more than 100 years in the making, some now teeter on the brink of catastrophic collapse. To save them, an international team of engineers, architects, art historians, and computer scientists searches the naves, bays, and bell-towers for clues to how the dream of these temples of human achievement and artistry became a reality. NOVA teams perform hands-on experiments to learn the architectural secrets that the cathedral builders used to erect their towering, glass-filled walls and reveal the hidden formulas, drawn from the Bible that drove medieval builders ever upward.

Crash of Flight 447 - Tuesday, October 26On June 1, 2009, Flight AF447, an Air France Airbus A330 flying from Rio de Janeiro to Paris, disappeared over the Atlantic Ocean, taking with it all 228 lives on board. How could a state-of-the-art airliner with elaborate electronic safety and navigation features and a faultless safety record simply drop out of the sky? NOVA assembles a team of sea¬soned pilots, engineers and safety experts to examine the evidence that emerged in the weeks following the tragedy. What led Flight 447's crew to fly straight into a raging thun¬derstorm? NOVA uses expert testimony, messages transmitted by the doomed plane's computer system, multi-layered CGI weather reconstructions, and an Airbus simulator with a veteran pilot at the controls to piece together the crucial events and reconstruct the final moments in the cockpit as the crisis over¬whelmed Flight 447's crew. The result is a forensic view presented from all angles to help us understand the crash.

Trapped in an Elevator - Tuesday, November 2How do elevators work? Are they safe? Why are so many people afraid of them? Across North America, elevators move 325 million passengers every day, and most of the time, people don't give them a second thought. In Trapped in an Elevator, NOVA reveals the secret life of these ubiquitous machines and inves¬tigates personal stories of those who have been caught inside when they do fail. NOVA cameras ride the world's fastest elevator to the top of the Burj Dubai, the world's tallest building, and test whether the Burj's elevator system is ready for the task of moving people to unprecedented heights. On the other side of the world, NOVA follows one of the thousands of elevator maintenance crews in Manhattan that keep New Yorkers moving up and down every day. Then, at the Otis Test Tower--a 28-story high-rise that's the most over-elevatored building in the world--viewers experience a few heart-pumping moments as a test elevator is sent into free fall. Once brawny but simple machines, elevators are getting a brainy make¬over. Computer controls, like those in the elevators at the Marriot Marquis in Times Square, are getting passengers to their destinations faster and more safely than ever before. But will the elevator-wary be comfortable handing over the reins to computers?

Dogs Decoded - Tuesday, November 9 Dogs have been domesticated for longer than any other animal on the planet, and humans have devel¬oped a unique relationship with these furry friends. We treat our pets like a part of the family, and we feel that they can understand us in a way other animals cannot. Now, new research is revealing what dog lovers have suspected all along: Dogs have an uncanny ability to read and respond to human emo¬tions. What is surprising, however, is new research showing that humans, in turn, respond to dogs with the same hormone responsible for bonding mothers to their babies. How did this incredible relationship between humans and dogs come to be? And how can dogs, so closely related to fearsome wild wolves, behave so differently? It's all in the genes. Dogs Decoded investigates new discoveries in genetics that are illuminating the origin of dogs--with revealing implications for the evolution of human culture as well. NOVA also travels to Siberia, where the mystery of dogs' domestication is being repeated--in foxes. A 50-year-old breeding program is creating an entirely new kind of creature, a tame fox with some surprising similarities to man's best friend. Dogs Decoded reveals the science behind the remarkable bond between humans and their dogs and spurs new questions about what this could mean for our rela¬tionships with other animal species.

Secrets of Stonehenge - Tuesday, November 16Dated to the late Stone Age, Stonehenge may be the best-known and most mysterious relic of prehistory. Every year, a million visitors are drawn to England to gaze upon the famous circle of stones, but the monument's meaning has continued to elude us. Now investigations inside and around Stonehenge have kicked off a dramatic new era of discovery and debate over who built Stonehenge and for what purpose. How did prehistoric people quarry, transport, sculpt, and erect these giant stones? Granted exclusive access to the dig site at Bluestonehenge, a prehistoric stone circle monument recently discovered about a mile from Stonehenge, NOVA cameras join a new generation of researchers finding important clues to this enduring mystery.

Quest for Solomon's Mines - Tuesday, November 23Countless treasure-seekers have set off in search of King Solomon's mines, trekking through burning deserts and scaling the forbidding mountains of Africa and the Levant, inspired by the Bible's account of splendid temples and palaces adorned in glittering gold and copper. Yet to date, the evidence that has claimed to support the existence of Solomon and other early kings in the Bible has been highly contro¬versial. In fact, so little physical evidence of the kings who ruled Israel and Edom has been found that many contend that they are no more real than King Arthur. In the summer of 2010, NOVA and National Geographic embarked on two cutting-edge field investigations that illuminate the legend of Solomon and reveal the source of the great wealth that powered the first mighty biblical kingdoms. These ground¬breaking expeditions expose important new clues buried in the pockmarked desert of Jordan, includ¬ing ancient remnants of an industrial-scale copper mine and a 3,000-year-old message with the words "slave," "king," and "judge."

Secrets Beneath the Ice - Tuesday, December 28Almost three miles of ice buries most of Antarctica, cloaking a continent one-and-a-half times the size of the United States. If all that ice melted, seas around the world would rise high enough to flood 12-story skyscrapers in places like New York City. Even a ten percent loss of Antarctica's ice would cause cata-strophic flooding of coastal cities unlike any seen before in human history.

"Secrets Beneath the Ice" explores whether Antarctica's climate past can offer clues to what may happen to our warming planet. Around 14 million years ago Antarctica was mostly ice-free. So when a massive ice shelf the size of Manhattan collapsed in less than one month in 2002, it shocked scientists and raised the alarming possibility that we may be heading toward an Antarctic meltdown.

To gather crucial evidence, NOVA follows an ambitious Antarctic investigation-a state-of-the-art drill-ing probe known as ANDRILL. Drilling deep beneath the Antarctic ice, down through the sea, and three fourths of a mile into the sea floor, ANDRILL recovers rock cores that reveal intimate details of climate and fauna from a time in the distant past when the Earth was just a few degrees warmer than it is today. As researchers grapple with the harshest conditions on the planet, they discover astonishing new clues-not only about Antarctica's past, but also Earth's future. These breakthrough discoveries carry ominous implications for coastal cities around the globe.

# # #

Now in its 37th season, NOVA is the most-watched primetime science series on American television, reaching an average of five million viewers weekly. The series remains committed to producing in-depth science programming in the form of hour-long (and occasionally longer) documentaries, from the latest breakthroughs in technology to the deepest mysteries of the natural world. NOVA airs Tuesdays at 8pm ET/PT on WGBH Boston and most PBS stations. The Director of the WGBH Science Unit and Senior Executive Producer of NOVA is Paula S. Apsell.

Funding for NOVA is provided by ExxonMobil, Pacific Life, David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers.

NOVA is closed-captioned for deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers and described for people who are blind or visually impaired by the Media Access Group at WGBH. The descriptive narration is available on the SAP channel or stereo TV and VCRs. To order NOVA direct from WGBH Boston Video, visit shop.wgbh.org or call 800.949.8670.

Friday, September 17, 2010

Uggs are so over! Ed Hardy suede boots use faux shearling. Inca Boot Company, of Austin, TX and owned by Evan Streusand and Matthew Holman, is a new company of women’s boots.

The boots are flat and versatile and designed to incorporate the Peruvian influence which comes from Streusand's 2004 life-changing trip to Peru. While walking the streets of Peru, Streusand encountered multiple craftsmen selling everything from jewelry to footwear. One man in particular was hand making a pair of boots that ultimately went home with Streusand which he still wears to this day. Impressed by the detail given to each pair of boots, Streusand returned to the states with a new appreciation for the Peruvian way of life.

Streusand planned a business idea to take his Peruvian inspiration to create a boot business in America. He returned to Peru in 2007 to further observe the culture and the process in which footwear is made. Each Inca pair is handmade and manufactured in Peru.

Inca Boots are made of suede with an interior made of lambskin. Each pair is designed with a Peruvian inspired pattern made of lamb’s wool seen on the top of the foot and around the upper part of the boot.

Our Interview

Streusand spoke with BeansTalk about the phenomena of Inca Boots:

What is your background Evan and what brought you to Peru?

I grew up more interested in the arts than anything else, mainly focusing on playing music and filmmaking, though in school I studied communications. After college I worked odd jobs and saved up enough money to go backpacking throughout various parts of South America. Cusco, Peru was actually the last stop on my trip and it was there that I found my inspiration for the boots.

Had you ever thought of starting a boot company or was your sole inspiration the trip and the boots?

I had never thought about starting a boot company until I first came across this particular style. Oddly enough, as a native Texan I had sort of rebelled against wearing boots in general. For the longest time I just didn’t see the appeal. That all changed of course.

What makes Inca Boots different than other boots out there now?

For one, Inca Boots simply look different than anything being sold currently. They’re the perfect mix of fashion and practicality. I’m not sure you could say the same thing about UGG’s, though I guess they’re practical in certain regions. Also, unlike UGG’s, our boots are made by hand in the specific region where the style was originated, and that authenticity is something that’s very important to us. The level of skill required by the artists that make our boots is very high. We could never turn these over to some factory in China and still maintain our standards of quality.

How durable are they?

I’ve had the same pair (of men’s boots) for 6 years.

So many boots now are made of faux suede and it seems like consumers don't understand how inferior a material that is for shoes and especially boots. Can you address that?

I can understand if a customer is looking to save a few bucks on their shoes, as a faux suede is typically cheaper to produce. At the same time, if you want something that will last and something that is inevitably softer and generally more pleasant to the touch then there’s really no debate to be had. In an ideal world a truly authentic suede would always win out.

That said, it seems like Uggs, which everyone and their mother seems to own, are on their way out -- why should Incas take their place in popularity?

As I said earlier, I don’t find UGG’s to be all that appealing in a purely aesthetic sense. I realize that they’re comfortable, but that seems to be about the limit of their appeal. They don’t really add to someone’s style. Not only are Inca Boots comfortable, but they can be the centerpiece of any girl’s ensemble – whether they’re being worn with a dress, a skirt, leggings or just an old pair of blue jeans. Our boots can “make the outfit,” so to speak, instead of taking away from it.

What are your most popular styles?

Currently our most popular style is the Tall Tan boot. The tan suede is gorgeous and the pattern we chose to go with it really pops.

What is the difference between the short and tall -- it's more subtle than just a bootie -- which type do you recommend for what kind of woman? (ie pants wearers should get short, etc…?)

Austin gets so hot in the summer -- what does Inca do -- ie what shoes/styles are popular in that season?

Austin is not a great market for us during the summertime, though our boots can still be worn in most climates as long as it’s not 100 degrees outside. Since we haven’t yet developed a spring line we’ll be focusing on other parts of the country during the summer season.

SwissTEC skincare debuts at the 2010 DPA Gifting Lounge for the Toronto International Film Festival (T.I.F.F). From Express Refreshers (mini-facial treatments) to skincare filled totes, SwissTEC exfoliated and moisturized visiting stars who were in Toronto promoting films.

SwissTEC skincare line was formulated by Dr. Jacqueline Hill using certified organic ingredients -- and without paraben, alcohol and petroleum. Recommended by one of Canada’s leading dermatologists, Dr. Fred Weksberg, SwissTEC is currently available exclusively at physician’s offices across Canada (product prices range $38-$159).

As explained online:

SwissTEC™ is a line of skincare products that have been specially designed to help with problem skin, especially if acne, oiliness, dryness, enlarged pores, and the signs of aging are a problem. Products can also ease redness and discomfort while at the same time maintaining the appearance of elasticity following aesthetic medical treatments. In fact, SwissTEC™ has actually designed some products for the sole purpose of caring for the skin after cosmetic treatments.

The ingredients and formulations of SwissTEC™ products feature luxurious high quality ingredients, including certified organic ingredients, to achieve desirable results. All products are non-comedogenic and free of alcohols, parabens, and petroleum. The product line boasts unique cleansers, exfoliants, intensive creams and lightweight serums.

SwissTEC™ products are available at Toronto Cosmetic Clinic online, or visit their Toronto clinic at 5400 Yonge Street, Suite 110. They are also available at www.clarionmedical.com

SwissTEC explains how their products work:

* CIC 2: Slows the signs of aging, lightening the look of brown spots while enhancing skin renewal, resulting in an overall improvement in radiance.

* Ameliox: Reverses the signs of deterioration to the skin's elastic tissue to reduce the appearance of lines of expression and wrinkles.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Anzie Adds Sparkleto DPA Lounge at TIFF

by Beth ZerilliBeansTalk Contributing EditorEast Coast Correspondent

TORONTO, ONT. -- The latest designs by Anzie jewelry were featured at DPA’s gifting lounge at Toronto’s International Film Festival. Anzie's delicately elegant and beautiful signature pieces drew quite a bit of celebrity interest at the TIFF/DPA lounge and begin with fine gemstones from around the world, and each piece is crafted by hand and fashioned from 14-karat or 18-karat gold, and sterling silver.

Started as a labor of love, Anzie Stein, began stringing beads and creating jewelry to raise money for cancer research in response to her own husband’s battle with the disease.

While accompanying her husband to New York and LA for treatment, Anzie spent her free time browsing through numerous boutiques and was inspired to create a line of jewelry to help raise funds for colorectal cancer awareness. She and Jaclyn sought out high quality colored gemstones that inspired the creation of the Lifesaver Bracelet. Each subsequent visit to New York and LA became both “healing and buying” trips. Each visit strengthened their motivation and their efforts finally led to the creation of Anzie.

Jaclyn went on to study business at McGill University and took courses in jewelry design at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology. Today she is the lead designer for the brand. The brand’s building block, the Lifesaver Bracelet remains a best seller with proceeds going to research for Colorectal Cancer and many other nonprofit organizations.

In 1999, Montreal-based Stein and her daughter Jaclyn launched a full collection of designer jewelry that has received the attention of the fashion world, along with a celebrity following.

From Fleur Beaded Bracelets ($175) to Classique Bella Necklaces ($5,500), ANZIE was a favorite celebrity stop at DPA's Gifting Lounge, including Twilight’s and New Moon's Rachelle Lefevre (she's the film saga's original "Victoria").

Katy Perry wore the Bouquet Bracelet to the 2010 Much Music Video Awards. While performing for the show, she wore Anzie Blue Topaz Stud earrings.

Anzie jewelry collections can be found at Holt Renfrew, Saks Fifth Avenue and www.anzie.com. Their website features the line's 10 different collections which feature bracelets, earrings, necklaces, rings, and cuff links, as well as their Lifesaver Bracelets, which are not only beautiful and bejeweled, but notify what ails the wearers. They range in price from $95 to $1500.

Above Image: Lifesaver Bracelet for Diabetes: Clear White Topaz 6 mm round faceted gemstones are set in Sterling Silver. A Sterling Silver disk pendant is engraved with "JDRF" for the Junior Diabetes Research Foundation. This bracelet measures 7.5" long. For sizing please contact us. $5.00 from each bracelet will be donated to the JDRF in order to help prevent Diabetes and support patients. $275

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Howie Mandel Makes Peace With His Chihuahua, With Help From the Dog Whisperer

Howie Mandel may be a beloved comic and television personality, but his wife’s Chihuahua Lola is not a fan. In fact, every time Howie is around Lola she tries to attack him. If Howie could have it his way, he would never go near the dog at all. His OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) makes him content to love animals from a good, comfortable distance. No need to touch them. He does however want to be close to his wife Terry, but Lola won’t let Howie anywhere in sight of her. Before Howie gives up and declares this doggy dilemma a “No Deal,” he calls for backup.

Enter Cesar Millan, The Dog Whisperer — winner of the 2010 People’s Choice Award for Favorite Animal Show. When good dogs go bad — and Lola’s gone bad — Cesar steps in to save the day. Now entering its seventh season on National Geographic Channel, Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan returns with 15 all-new episodes featuring canine calamity this October. No dog is too much for Cesar to handle. Cesar rehabilitates dogs and trains people. Find out how Cesar helps Howie and Terry deal with little Lola when the new season premieres Friday, October 8, at 8 PM ET/PT. The premiere is timed to the release of Cesar’s new book, Cesar’s Rules: Your Way to Train a Well-Behaved Dog, on sale Tuesday, October 5th.

The world of unfulfilled canines keeps Cesar employed with plenty of dog problems. But he encounters a whole new set of issues while working with dogs that have been crossbred with wolves. In a special episode this season, Cesar enlists the help of wolf-dog expert Jennifer McCarthy to bring balance to three canine hybrids who display the confused behaviors of a wild animal trapped in a dog’s body.

Cesar’s influence reached out of this world, literally, when he chatted with United States astronaut Suni Williams via satellite while she served as a flight engineer aboard the International Space Station. Cesar gave Suni some long-distance coaching on how to manage her Jack Russell terrier Gorby when she returned to Earth. Now back safely back on the ground, Suni and fellow astronaut Leland Melvin invite Cesar on a tour of NASA’s mission control in Houston, Texas. It’s not all play and no work though. Cesar makes sure Leland has the “right stuff” to condition his dog Scout beyond bouts of aggressive behavior.

Cesar’s reputation for successfully rehabilitating problem pooches has made him a go-to resource for Hollywood pet owners starring in their own doggy dramas. Actress Rhona Mitra (“The Gates”, “Boston Legal”) was drawn to her French bulldog Oscar because of her fondness for pigs, seeing a resemblance. But when Oscar was attacked by a pit bull at age 4, his personality changed for the worse. He now lunges after other dogs when Rhona walks him. She enlists Cesar to help Oscar win the award for best behaved bulldog.

Wildlife expert Casey Anderson is no stranger to wild animals. He and his 900-pound black bear Brutus star in Nat Geo WILD’s series Expedition Wild, and Casey spends a good deal of his time tracking grizzly bears and other fierce predators in North America. But when it comes to the aggressive animals living in his own home, Casey is at a loss. Casey’s wife, film and television actress Missi Pyle, can’t get a handle on her two dogs, Ellie and J.J. Ellie is aggressive toward other dogs, lunging and snapping at them as they leisurely walk by. J.J. likes to join in on the fun, and once the two dogs get started they become completely uncontrollable. Missi looks to her husband for help, but even Casey’s grizzly-taming techniques don’t seem to work, and Cesar is brought in to help Missi and Casey “bear” the burden.

Meghan Plunkett, daughter of former NFL quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Jim Plunkett, began caring for her brother Jimmy’s black-and-white pit bull Gotti after Jimmy unexpectedly passed away in 2008. But once she took ownership of Gotti, he started to exhibit nervous behavior and began barking and lunging at other dog walkers. Meghan’s call to Cesar for help was bittersweet. Jimmy loved watching Dog Whisperer and modeled Gotti’s training on the relationship Cesar had with his dog Daddy. In an emotional and touching story, Cesar works with Meghan and the grieving Plunkett family to help resolve Gotti’s aggression and to begin restoring his confidence and sense of calm.

Season seven features 15 new episodes beginning Friday, October 8 — returning after a summer of fan-favorite encore episodes airing every Friday night.

About Dog WhispererEach episode of Dog Whisperer follows dog behavior specialist Cesar Millan as he goes directly into the homes of dog owners — without any prior information about the dog’s case — and documents the remarkable transformations that take place under Cesar’s calm, assertive guidance.

The hugely popular series has grown into a pop culture phenomenon, including parodies on “South Park” and “Saturday Night Live”; references on popular shows including “Jeopardy!” and Bravo’s series “Work Out”; appearances on “Oprah,” “Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “Martha Stewart,” “Today Show,” “The View,” and “Live with Regis and Kelly”; and a guest star role for Cesar on the hit series “Ghost Whisperer” and the upcoming Jennifer Lopez movie “The Back-Up Plan,” scheduled for release in spring 2010.

Dog Whisperer has also been nominated three times for the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Reality Program.

About Cesar MillanWith more than 20 years of experience working with canines, Cesar has been called a “Dr. Phil for Dogs,” and for good reason. He has a unique gift of rehabilitating dogs and training their owners. His talent with dogs first developed on his grandfather’s farm in Mexico. His Dog Psychology Center in Los Angeles received as many as 100 calls a week from owners desperate for help and confronting a crisis with their beloved pets. Cesar has now moved his center to Santa Clarita, where he is at work on building a true sanctuary for his canine companions. Often, the dogs Cesar works with are “red-zone cases” that trainers or veterinarians have told the owners to put down. Cesar believes every dog deserves a chance at rehabilitation before such drastic measures should even be considered. His pack of dogs are largely dogs no one thought should be left alive — and they now live in harmony as part of Cesar’s pack, and make frequent appearances on the show.

Millan was made an honorary member of the International Association of Canine Professionals and was presented The Michael Landon Award for Inspiration to Youth Through Television at the 28th Young Artist Awards.

Cesar has published four best-selling books, and launched a new magazine, Cesar’s Way, in the fall of 2009. Other things Cesar include the following: The first four seasons of Dog Whisperer are available on DVD; Cesar founded the nonprofit Millan Foundation, providing financial support and rehabilitation expertise to shelters throughout the United States; Cesar has an exclusive product line available at Petco; and he is giving online seminars, “Sessions with Cesar,” an interactive coaching course. Additionally, Cesar's new magazine — Cesar's Way — from IMG Publishing is available on newsstands now and features celebrity dog stories and everyday dog lovers who have built a lifestyle around their companions. More information can be found at www.cesarmillaninc.com.

Season Seven of Dog Whisperer Premieres Friday, October 8, at 8 p.m. on National Geographic Channel